right-hand

1 of 2

adjective

ˈrīt-ˌhand 

1

: situated on the right

2

: right-handed

3

: chiefly relied on

his right-hand man

right hand

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the hand on a person's right side

b

: an indispensable person

2

a

: the right side

b

: a place of honor

Examples of right-hand in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The musical tells the story of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, tracing his rise from an orphaned immigrant to George Washington's right-hand man and the nation's first Treasury secretary, all set to a groundbreaking score that blends hip-hop, R&B and traditional showtunes. —Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Before becoming Apple's chief executive, Cook served as Jobs' right-hand man and was the architect of Apple's global supply chain. —Steve Kopack, NBC news, 20 Apr. 2026

Noun

Steinem entered the quietly buzzing room wearing all black and clutching a wooden cane painted with blue and pink birds in her right hand. —Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 22 Apr. 2026

Infielder Willi Castro, hit by a pitch on his right hand on Wednesday night, was out of the lineup again on Friday. —Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for right-hand

• armband
• backhand
• bandstand
• baseband
• broadband
• command
• cropland
• demand
• disband
• dreamland
• expand
• farmhand

Kids Definition

right-hand

adjective

ˈrīt-ˌhand

1

: located on the right

2

: right-handed sense 1

3

: relied on most of all

right-hand man

Medical Definition

right-hand

1 of 2 adjective

ˈrīt-ˌhand 

1

: situated on the right

2

: right-handed

right hand

2 of 2 noun

1

: the hand on a person's right side

2

: the right side